Sliding door systems

ABSTRACT

An exemplary closure assembly includes a rail assembly and a door assembly movably mounted to the rail assembly. The door assembly includes a rotary damper having a pinion, and the rail assembly includes a rack member operable to engage the pinion. As the door moves from first position to a second position, the rack member engages the pinion, thereby causing the pinion to rotate in a first rotational direction. The rotary damper resists rotation of the pinion in the first direction, thereby slowing movement of the door toward the second position. The rotary damper may be a one-way damper that does not resist rotation of the pinion in a second rotational direction such that the rotary damper does not resist movement of the door from the second position toward the first position.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to sliding door systems, andmore particularly but not exclusively relates to top-hung sliding doorsystems.

BACKGROUND

Certain currently available sliding door systems suffer from certaindrawbacks and limitations, such as those relating to ease of operationand others. For these reasons among others, there remains a need forfurther improvements in this technological field.

SUMMARY

An exemplary closure assembly includes a rail assembly and a doorassembly movably mounted to the rail assembly. The door assemblyincludes a rotary damper having a pinion, and the rail assembly includesa rack member operable to engage the pinion. As the door moves fromfirst position to a second position, the rack member engages the pinion,thereby causing the pinion to rotate in a first rotational direction.The rotary damper resists rotation of the pinion in the first direction,thereby slowing movement of the door toward the second position. Therotary damper may be a one-way damper that does not resist rotation ofthe pinion in a second rotational direction such that the rotary damperdoes not resist movement of the door from the second position toward thefirst position. Further embodiments, forms, features, and aspects of thepresent application shall become apparent from the description andfigures provided herewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an exploded assembly view of a closure assembly according tocertain embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional illustration of a rail member of the closureassembly.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a rail assembly of theclosure assembly.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the closure assembly.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional illustration of a portion of the closureassembly.

FIG. 6 is an exploded assembly view of a movement assistance mechanismaccording to certain embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a movement assistance mechanismaccording to certain embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the movement assistance mechanism ofFIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a portion of the movement assistance mechanismillustrated in FIG. 7 with a latch mechanism in an intermediateposition.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a portion of the movement assistance mechanismillustrated in FIG. 7 with the latch mechanism in a home position.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a portion of the movement assistance mechanismillustrated in FIG. 7 with the latch mechanism in a cocked position.

FIG. 12 illustrates the movement assistance mechanism illustrated inFIG. 7 in an unloaded state.

FIG. 13 illustrates the movement assistance mechanism illustrated inFIG. 7 in the process of being loaded by a rack member.

FIG. 14 illustrates the movement assistance mechanism illustrated inFIG. 7 after being loaded by the rack member.

FIG. 15 is an exploded assembly view of a door module or door assemblyaccording to certain embodiments.

FIG. 16 is a schematic representation of a closure assembly according tocertain embodiments.

FIG. 17 illustrates a system that may be utilized to generate a closureassembly.

FIGS. 18-25 illustrate various embodiments of closure assembliesgenerated with the system illustrated in FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Although the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible tovarious modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments havebeen shown by way of example in the drawings and will be describedherein in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is nointent to limit the concepts of the present disclosure to the particularforms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover allmodifications, equivalents, and alternatives consistent with the presentdisclosure and the appended claims.

References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,”“an illustrative embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodimentdescribed may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but every embodiment may or may not necessarily includethat particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, suchphrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. It shouldfurther be appreciated that although reference to a “preferred”component or feature may indicate the desirability of a particularcomponent or feature with respect to an embodiment, the disclosure isnot so limiting with respect to other embodiments, which may omit such acomponent or feature. Further, when a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it issubmitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art toimplement such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection withother embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

Additionally, it should be appreciated that items included in a list inthe form of “at least one of A, B, and C” can mean (A); (B); (C); (A andB); (B and C); (A and C); or (A, B, and C). Similarly, items listed inthe form of “at least one of A, B, or C” can mean (A); (B); (C); (A andB); (B and C); (A and C); or (A, B, and C). Items listed in the form of“A, B, and/or C” can also mean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (B and C); (Aand C); or (A, B, and C). Further, with respect to the claims, the useof words and phrases such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” and/or “at leastone portion” should not be interpreted so as to be limiting to only onesuch element unless specifically stated to the contrary, and the use ofphrases such as “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” should beinterpreted as encompassing both embodiments including only a portion ofsuch element and embodiments including the entirety of such elementunless specifically stated to the contrary.

In the drawings, some structural or method features may be shown certainin specific arrangements and/or orderings. However, it should beappreciated that such specific arrangements and/or orderings may notnecessarily be required. Rather, in some embodiments, such features maybe arranged in a different manner and/or order than shown in theillustrative figures unless indicated to the contrary. Additionally, theinclusion of a structural or method feature in a particular figure isnot meant to imply that such feature is required in all embodiments and,in some embodiments, may be omitted or may be combined with otherfeatures.

With reference to FIG. 1, illustrated therein is a closure assembly 100according to certain embodiments. The closure assembly 100 is mounted toa wall 90 having an opening 92 formed therein, and a doorframe 94 ismounted to the wall 90 and defines the opening 92. The closure assembly100 includes a rail assembly 110 and a door assembly 150 movably mountedto the rail assembly 110. The door assembly 150 is movable along therail assembly 110 in opposite opening and closing directions between aclosed position in which the door assembly 150 substantially covers theopening 92 and an open position in which the opening 92 is substantiallyuncovered by the door assembly 150.

The rail assembly 110 has a first end portion 111 and a second endportion 112, and generally includes an elongated rail member 120 and atleast one of a closing-side engagement zone 130 or an opening-sideengagement zone 140. The closing-side engagement zone 130 is configuredto interface with the door assembly 150 as the door assembly 150approaches the closed position, and the opening-side engagement zone 140is configured to interface with the door assembly 150 as the doorassembly 150 approaches the open position. Further details regarding theinteraction of the door assembly 150 with the closing-side engagementzone 130 and the opening-side engagement zone 140 are provided herein.

With additional reference to FIG. 2, the rail member 120 includes avertical plate 122 by which the rail member 120 is secured to the wall90 by a plurality of fasteners 102 such as screws, a first or upperhorizontal support 124 extending laterally from the vertical plate 122,and a second or lower horizontal support 126 positioned below and to theside of the first horizontal support 124. Formed near the top of thevertical plate 122 is a flange 123, which may, in certain embodiments,support a rack member 114. The first support 124 includes a firstmounting feature 125, and the second support 126 includes a secondmounting feature 127 and a longitudinally-extending rail 128. In theillustrated embodiment, the rail 128 is a single continuous rail thatextends the length of the rail member 120. In other embodiments, therail 128 may be provided as two or more separate rail sections separatedby one or more gaps.

With additional reference to FIG. 3, the closing-side engagement zone130 includes a closing-side trigger 132 and a closing-side rack 134,each of which is fixed to the rail member 120 in the first end portion111 of the rail assembly 110, for example above the opening 92. Thetrigger 132 may be mounted to the first support 124 via the firstmounting feature 125, and the rack gear 134 may be mounted to the secondsupport 126 via the second mounting feature 127. As described herein,the rack gear 134 is configured to interface with a rotary damper 176 ofthe door assembly 150, and may alternatively be referred to as theclosing-side damper rack 134.

In the illustrated form, the opening-side engagement zone 140 includesan opening-side trigger 142 and an opening-side rack gear 144, each ofwhich is fixed to the rail member 120 in second end portion 112 of therail assembly 110. The trigger 142 may be mounted to the first support124 via the first mounting feature 125, and the rack gear 144 may bemounted to the second support 126 via the second mounting feature 127.As described herein, the rack gear 144 is configured to interface with arotary damper 186 of the door assembly 150, and may alternatively bereferred to as the opening-side damper rack 144.

With additional reference to FIG. 4, the illustrated door assembly 150generally includes a door panel 160, a closing-side module 170, and anopening-side module 180, and may further include a central module 190.The door panel 160 includes a closing-side vertical edge 162, anopening-side vertical edge 164, a broad vertical face 166, and ahorizontal top edge 168 extending connected to the edges 162, 164 andthe broad face 166. In the illustrated form, each of the closing-sidemodule 170 and the opening-side module 180 is mounted to the top edge168. In other forms, one or both of the modules 170, 180 may be mountedto the broad face 166.

With additional reference to FIG. 5, the closing-side module 170generally includes a frame 172, an anti jump lug 173 projecting from theframe 172, a wheel 174 rotatably mounted to the frame 172, a rotarydamper 176 mounted to the frame 172, and a movement assistance mechanism178 mounted to the frame 172. The wheel 174 includes a groove 175 inwhich the rail 128 is seated such that the rail member 120 supports theclosing-side module 170 and the door panel 160 to which the module 170is mounted. The anti jump lug 173 is positioned below the rail 128, andhinders the module 170 from lifting off of the rail 128.

The rotary damper 176 includes a pinion gear 177 operable to engage theclosing-side rack 134 such that movement of the door panel 160 to andfrom its fully closed position causes the rack 134 to rotate the pinion177 in opposite directions. The rotary damper 176 is configured toresist rotation of the pinion 177 in the direction corresponding to theclosing direction of the door assembly 150 such that movement of thedoor panel 160 to its fully closed position is resisted by the rotarydamper 176. In certain forms, the rotary damper 176 is provided as aone-way rotary damper 176 that resists rotation of the pinion 177 in therotational direction corresponding to closing movement of the doorassembly 150, but does not resist rotation of the pinion 177 in therotational direction corresponding to opening movement of the doorassembly 150. In such forms, movement of the door panel 160 from itsfully closed position in the opening direction is not resisted by therotary damper 176.

The movement assistance mechanism 178 includes a latch 179 operable toengage the closing-side trigger 132 as the door panel 160 approaches itsfully closed position. As described in further detail below, the latch179 has a cocked position in which the latch 179 retains a spring of themovement assistance mechanism 178 in a deformed state in whichmechanical energy is stored in the spring. As the door assembly 150approaches the fully closed position, the closing-side trigger 132engages the latch 179 and drives the latch 179 from the cocked positionto a release position, thereby causing the spring to release itsmechanical energy and draw the door panel 160 toward its fully closedposition. Further details regarding exemplary forms of the movementassistance mechanism 178 are provided below with reference to themovement assistance mechanism 200 and the force-multiplying movementassistance mechanism 300.

While other forms are contemplated, in the illustrated embodiment, theopening-side module 180 is essentially a mirror image of theclosing-side module 180. Thus, the opening-side module 180 generallyincludes a frame 182, an anti jump lug 183 projecting from the frame182, a wheel 184 rotatably mounted to the frame 182, a rotary damper 186mounted to the frame 182, and a movement assistance mechanism 188mounted to the frame 182. The wheel 184 includes a groove 185 in whichthe rail 128 is seated such that the rail member 120 supports theopening-side module 180 and the door panel 160 to which the module 180is mounted. The anti jump lug 183 is positioned below the rail 128, andhinders the module 180 from lifting off of the rail 128.

The rotary damper 186 includes a pinion gear 187 operable to engage theopening-side rack 144 such that movement of the door assembly 150 to andfrom its fully open position causes the rack 144 to rotate the pinion187 in opposite directions. The rotary damper 186 is configured toresist rotation of the pinion 187 in the direction corresponding to theopening direction of the door assembly 150 such that movement of thedoor panel 160 to its fully open position is resisted by the rotarydamper 186. In certain forms, the rotary damper 186 is provided as aone-way rotary damper 186 that resists rotation of the pinion 187 in therotational direction corresponding to open movement of the door assembly150, but does not resist rotation of the pinion 187 in the rotationaldirection corresponding to closing movement of the door assembly 150. Insuch forms, movement of the door panel 160 from its fully open positionin the closing direction is not resisted by the rotary damper 180.

The movement assistance mechanism 188 includes a latch 189 operable toengage the opening-side trigger 142 as the door assembly 150 approachesits fully open position. As described in further detail below, the latch189 has a cocked position in which the latch 189 retains a spring of themovement assistance mechanism 188 in a deformed state, in whichmechanical energy is stored in the spring. As the door assembly 150approaches the fully open position, the opening-side trigger 142 engagesthe latch 189 and drives the latch 189 from the cocked position to arelease position, thereby causing the spring to release its mechanicalenergy and draw the door panel 160 toward its fully open position.Further details regarding exemplary forms of the movement assistancemechanism 188 are provided below with reference to the movementassistance mechanism 200 and the force-multiplying movement assistancemechanism 300.

The center module 190 generally includes a frame 192, an anti jump lug193 projecting from the frame 192, and a wheel 194 rotatably mounted tothe frame 192. The wheel 194 includes a groove 195 in which the rail 128is seated such that the rail member 120 supports the center module 190and the door 160 to which the module 190 is mounted. The anti jump lug193 is positioned below the rail 128, and hinders the module 190 fromlifting off of the rail 128.

With additional reference to FIG. 6, illustrated therein is a movementassistance mechanism 200 according to certain embodiments. The movementassistance mechanism 200 may, for example, be utilized as theclosing-side movement assistance mechanism 178 and/or the opening-sidemovement assistance mechanism 188. The movement assistance mechanism 200generally includes a housing 210, a latch mechanism 220 movably mountedto the housing 210, and a biasing mechanism 230 connected between thehousing 210 and the latch mechanism 220.

The housing 210 includes a first portion 211 and a second portion 212that are coupled to one another to define an internal chamber 213 inwhich the biasing mechanism 230 is mounted, and a channel 214 throughwhich the latch mechanism 220 projects. The first portion 211 alsodefines a track 216 having a straight portion 217 and an angled jog 218,and the second portion 212 defines a mirror image track facing the track216.

The latch mechanism 220 includes a body portion 222, first and secondarms 224, 226 projecting from a first side of the body portion 222 anddefining a recess 225 therebetween, and a finger 228 projecting from anopposite second side of the body portion 222. The latch mechanism 220 isslidably mounted to the housing 210 by a first pivot pin 202 and asecond pivot pin 204, each of which projects into the tracks 216 suchthat the housing 210 movably supports the latch mechanism 220 and guidesthe latch mechanism 220 along the path defined by the tracks 216.

The biasing mechanism 230 includes a base 232 and a spring 234 having afirst end 235 and an opposite second end 236. The first end 235 iscoupled to the base 232, which is pivotably mounted to the housing 210.The second end 236 is coupled to the finger 228 such that the spring 234biases the latch mechanism 220 toward a home position.

The latch mechanism 220 is biased toward a home position by the biasingmechanism 230, and is movable to a cocked position in which the biasingmechanism 230 is loaded such that mechanical energy is stored in thespring 234. With the latch mechanism 220 in the home position, each ofthe pivot pins 202, 204 is received in the straight portion 217 of thetrack 216. Movement of the latch mechanism 220 toward the cockedposition stretches the spring 234, thereby loading the biasing mechanism230 and storing mechanical energy in the spring 234. With the latchmechanism 220 in the cocked position, the first pivot pin 202 isreceived in the angled jog 218. The jog 218 retains the latch mechanism220 in the cocked position against the biasing force of the spring 234,which urges the latch mechanism 220 toward its home position.

As noted above, the movement assistance mechanism 200 may be utilized asthe closing assistance mechanism 178 of the closing-side module 170. Insuch forms, the movement assistance mechanism 200 cooperates with theclosing-side engagement zone 130 to assist movement of the door assembly150 toward its fully closed position. When the door assembly 150 is inits fully closed position, the latch mechanism 220 is in its homeposition, and the closing-side trigger 132 is received in the recess225. As the door assembly 150 moves toward its open position under themanual force of a user, the closing-side trigger 132 engages the secondarm 226 and drives the latch mechanism 220 to its cocked position,thereby stretching the spring 234. During this movement, the rotarydamper 176 travels along the closing-side rack 134, thereby rotating thepinion 177 in the direction corresponding to opening movement of thedoor assembly 150. In embodiments in which the rotary damper 176 isprovided as a unidirectional or one-way damper, this rotation of thepinion 177 is not resisted by the damper 176, such that the damper 176does not add to the force required to move the door assembly 150 fromthe fully closed position. As the door assembly 150 travels toward itsopen position, the latch mechanism 220 travels to its cocked position,at which point the trigger 132 exits the recess 225. The latch mechanism220 is retained in the cocked position by engagement between the jog 218and the pin 202.

When the door assembly 150 is subsequently moved toward its closedposition, the closing-side trigger 132 engages the first arm 224 topivot the latch mechanism 220 to a release position, thereby causing thepin 202 to exit the jog 218. With the pin 202 removed from the jog 218,the spring 234 drives the latch mechanism 220 toward its home position,thereby pulling the door panel 160 toward its fully closed position. Asa result, the movement assistance mechanism 200 aids in the finalclosing movement of the door panel 160 when utilized as the closingassistance mechanism 178 of the closing-side module 170. It should beappreciated that this final closing movement is slowed by the rotarydamper 176, the pinion 177 of which engages the closing-side rack 134during the closing movement of the door assembly 150. Due to the factthat the rotary damper 176 resists rotation of the pinion in thedirection corresponding to closing movement of the door assembly 150,engagement between the damper 176 and the rack 134 slows the finalclosing movement of the door assembly 150.

As noted above, the movement assistance mechanism 200 may additionallyor alternatively be utilized as the opening assistance mechanism 188 ofthe opening-side module 180. Those skilled in the art will readilyrecognize that in such embodiments, the movement assistance mechanism200 will cooperate with the opening-side engagement zone 140 to assistmovement of the door assembly 150 toward the fully open position in amanner analogous to that described above with reference to the use ofthe movement assistance mechanism 200 as the closing assistancemechanism 178 of the closing-side module 170. Additionally, the finalopening movement of the door assembly 150 will be slowed by engagementbetween the opening-side damper 186 and the opening-side rack 144 in amanner analogous to that described above with reference to theclosing-side damper 176 and the closing-side rack 134.

With additional reference to FIGS. 7-9, illustrated therein is amovement assistance mechanism 300 according to certain embodiments. Themovement assistance mechanism 300 may, for example, be utilized as theclosing-side movement assistance mechanism 178 and/or the opening-sidemovement assistance mechanism 188. The movement assistance mechanism 300includes a housing 310, a latch mechanism 320 movably mounted to thehousing 310, a biasing mechanism 330 connected between the housing 310and the latch mechanism 320, and a gear train 340 connected with thelatch mechanism 320.

The housing 310 includes a first portion 311 and a second portion 312that are coupled to one another to define an internal chamber 313 inwhich the biasing mechanism 330 is mounted, and a channel 314 throughwhich a portion of the latch mechanism 320 projects. As illustrated inFIG. 9, the housing 310 defines a first track 350 and a second track 360proximate the first track 350, further details of which are providedbelow. Each of the first track 350 and the second track 360 includes afirst run formed in the first portion 311, and includes a mirror imagesecond run formed in the second portion 312.

The latch mechanism 320 includes a carriage 321 movably mounted to thehousing 310 and a latch body 323 movably mounted to the carriage 321.The carriage 321 includes a lateral slot 322, and is movably coupled tothe housing 310 by a first pin 302 and a second pin 304. Each of thepins 302, 304 projects into the first track 350 such that the housing310 constrains movement of the carriage 321 to the path defined by thefirst track 350. The latch body 323 includes a body portion 327 and ahead 328 formed on one end of the body portion 327. One end of the bodyportion 327 is movably coupled with the carriage 321 and the housing 310by a third pin 306, which extends through the lateral slot 322. The pin306 also extends into the second track 360 such that the housing 310constrains movement of the latch body to the path defined by the secondtrack 360. In the illustrated form, the pins 302, 304, 306 are separatecomponents that are coupled to the latch mechanism 320. In otherembodiments, one or more of the pins 302, 304, 306 may be formedintegrally with a corresponding portion of the latch mechanism 320. Thebody portion 327 of the latch body 323 extends through a gap formedbetween the first and second pins 302, 304 to the head 328, whichincludes first and second arms 324, 326 having a recess 325 definedtherebetween.

The biasing mechanism 330 includes a spring 334 having a first end 335and an opposite second end 336. The first end 335 is coupled to thehousing 310, and the second end 336 is coupled to the carriage 321 suchthat the spring 334 biases the latch mechanism 320 toward a homeposition (to the left in FIG. 8).

The gear train 340 is movably mounted to the housing 310, and generallyincludes a pinion gear 342, an input gear 343 rotationally coupled withthe pinion gear 342, one or more intermediate gears 344 operably engagedwith the input gear 343, and a rack member 346 including a rack gear 347engaged with the input gear 343 via the one or more intermediate gears344. The pinion gear 342 is mounted to the exterior of the housing 310such that the pinion gear 342 is operable to engage the rack gear 114 asthe door assembly 150 moves between its open position and its closedposition. The one or more intermediate gears 344 operably couple therack member 346 with the input gear 343 such that rotation of the piniongear 342 causes a corresponding longitudinal movement of the rack member346. The rack member 346 includes an arm 348 defining an aperture 349,and a pin 306 extends through the carriage 321 and into the aperture349, thereby operably coupling the rack member 346 with the latchmechanism 320. As a result, rotation of the pinion gear 342 in onerotational direction causes the rack member 346 to pull the latchmechanism 320 to the cocked position, thereby stretching and storingmechanical energy in the spring 334.

The first track 350 includes a proximal end portion 352, an oppositedistal end portion 354, and an intermediate portion 356 extendingbetween and connecting the proximal end portion 352 and the distal endportion 354. Each of the proximal end portion 352 and the intermediateportion 356 extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis 301 ofthe movement assistance mechanism 300, and the distal end portion 354defines an angled jog 355 that extends laterally inward (i.e., away fromthe channel 314).

The second track 360 includes a proximal end portion 362, an oppositedistal end portion 364, and an intermediate portion 366 extendingbetween and connecting the proximal end portion 362 and the distal endportion 364. The intermediate portion 366 extends substantially parallelto the longitudinal axis 301, the proximal end portion 362 defines asecond angled jog 363 extending away from the channel 314, and thedistal end portion 364 defines a recess 365 extending away from thechannel 314.

FIG. 9 illustrates the latch mechanism 320 in an intermediate positionbetween the cocked position and the home position. In the intermediateposition, each of the first pin 302 and the second pin 304 is receivedin the intermediate portion 356 of the first track 350, such that thecarriage 321 is substantially straight relative to the housing 310.Additionally, the third pin 306 is received in the intermediate portion366 of the second track 360 such that the latch body 323 has an extendedposition relative to the carriage 321. From the intermediate position,the latch mechanism 320 is operable to move proximally toward the homeposition (FIG. 10) or distally toward the cocked position (FIG. 11).

With additional reference to FIG. 10, proximal movement of the latchmechanism 320 from the intermediate position (FIG. 9) to the homeposition (FIG. 10) causes the third pin 306 to travel into the jog 363defined by the proximal end portion 362 of the second track 360. The jog363 urges the pin 306 laterally inward, thereby moving the latch body323 to a retracted position relative to the carriage 321.

With additional reference to FIG. 11, distal movement of the latchmechanism 320 from the intermediate position (FIG. 9) to the cockedposition (FIG. 11) causes the first pin 302 to enter the angled jog 355defined by the distal end portion 354 of the first track 350, therebyangling the latch mechanism 320 relative to the housing 310. In thisstate, the jog 355 and/or the recess 365 retains the latch mechanism 320in the cocked position against the biasing force exerted by the spring334.

With additional reference to FIGS. 12-14, the movement assistancemechanism 300 is configured to interface with the rack member 114 suchthat movement of the movement assistance mechanism 300 along the railassembly 110 cocks the latch mechanism 320, thereby loading the movementassistance mechanism 300. The loading process begins with the movementassistance mechanism 300 in an unloaded state (FIG. 12), in which thelatch mechanism 320 is in its home position. As the door panel 160travels alongside the rail-mounted rack member 114, the rack member 114engages the pinion 342 and begins to load the movement assistancemechanism 300 (FIG. 13). More particularly, the rail-mounted rack member114 causes the pinion 342 to rotate the intermediate gears 344, therebylinearly driving the rack member 346 in the distal direction. As aresult, the rack member 346 pulls the latch mechanism 320 to theintermediate position (FIG. 13), thereby stretching the spring 334 andstoring mechanical energy in the biasing mechanism 330.

As the door panel 160 continues to travel alongside the rail-mountedrack member 114, the rack member 114 continues to rotate the pinion 342,thereby continuing the loading of movement assistance mechanism 300. Thegear ratio of the gear train 340 may be selected such that the forceexerted on the spring 334 by the gear train 340 is greater than theforce exerted by the user as the user moves the door panel 160 alongsidethe rack member 114, thereby reducing the force the user is required toexert to load the movement assistance mechanism 300. When the movementassistance mechanism is fully loaded (FIG. 14), the latch mechanism 320is retained in the cocked position by the jog 355 of the first track350.

Once fully loaded (FIG. 14), the movement assistance mechanism 300 isable to assist in moving the door assembly 150 to a desired position(e.g., the closed position or the open position). For example, inembodiments in which the movement assistance mechanism 300 is utilizedas the opening assistance mechanism 188 of the opening-side module 180,the latch mechanism 320 may engage the opening-side trigger 142 as thedoor panel 160 approaches the open position, thereby causing the trigger142 to enter the recess 325. The momentum of the door panel 160 causesthe trigger 142 to drive the latch mechanism 320 to the releaseposition, at which point the spring 334 releases its mechanical energyand drives the latch mechanism 320 toward its home position, therebydrawing the door panel 160 to the desired open position. As the latchmechanism 320 approaches its home position, the jog 363 of the secondtrack 360 engages the third pin 306, thereby driving the latch body 323to its retracted position and causing the trigger 142 to exit the recess325.

When the door assembly 150 is subsequently urged from the open positiontoward the closed position, the trigger 142 passes alongside theretracted latch body 323. As a result, the user need not return thelatch mechanism 320 to its cocked position against the force of thespring 334. Instead, such return is accomplished by the above-describedengagement between the gear train 340 and the rack 114. As noted above,the gear ratio of the gear train 340 may be selected such that the forceapplied to the latch mechanism 320 during such loading is greater thanthe force applied to the door panel 160 to effect such loading. As aresult, the force the user is required to exert in order to load themovement assistance mechanism 300 is reduced.

As noted above, the movement assistance mechanism 300 may additionallyor alternatively be utilized as the closing assistance mechanism 178 ofthe closing-side module 170. Those skilled in the art will readilyappreciate that a sequence of events analogous to that described abovewill occur when the movement assistance mechanism 300 is utilized as theclosing assistance mechanism 178 of the closing-side module 170.

In certain embodiments, the above-described loading of the movementassistance mechanism 300 may occur as the door assembly 150 moves towardits desired position, while in other embodiments, the loading of themovement assistance mechanism 300 may occur as the door assembly 150moves away from its desired position.

With additional reference to FIG. 15, illustrated therein is an assemblyor module 400 according to certain embodiments. The module 400 may, forexample, be utilized as the closing-side module 170 of the closureassembly 100, and certain descriptions of the module 400 may be madewith specific reference to such an implementation. It is to beappreciated, however, that analogous features and characteristics may bepresent when a module along the lines of the module 400 is utilized asthe opening-side module 180 of the closure assembly 100. In theillustrated form, the module 400 generally includes a bracket 410configured for mounting to the door panel 160. The illustrated module400 further includes a wheel mechanism 420, a rotary damper 430, amovement assistance mechanism 440, and an anti jump lug 450, each ofwhich is mounted to the bracket 410.

The bracket 410 includes a vertical base plate 412 and a pair ofhorizontal flanges 414 projecting from opposite ends of the base plate412. Each flange 414 includes one or more fastener openings 415 forreceiving fasteners 402 by which the bracket 410 is secured to the doorpanel 160. The base plate 412 includes a recess 416 in which a portionof the rotary damper 430 is seated. The base plate 412 also includes aplurality of mounting apertures 413 through which fasteners 404 extendto secure various components of the module 400 to the bracket 410.

The illustrated wheel mechanism 420 includes a pivot plate 422 that ispivotably mounted to the bracket 410, and which includes a pair of posts423 projecting therefrom. Rotatably mounted on the posts 423 are a pairof wheels 424, each of which includes a circumferential groove 425operable to receive the rail 128.

The rotary damper 430 includes a body 432 having a rotatable shaft 434projecting therefrom. As is known in the art, the body 432 is filledwith a fluid that resists rotation of the shaft 434. A pinion 436 iscoupled to the shaft 434 via a one-way bearing 438 that couples thepinion 436 and the shaft 434 for joint rotation in one rotationaldirection, while permitting the pinion 436 to rotate relative to theshaft 434 in the opposite rotational direction. The pinion 436 isconfigured to engage the closing-side rack 134 such that the pinion 436rotates in the first direction as the door assembly 150 approaches theclosed position, and rotates in the opposite direction during opening ofthe door assembly 150. As a result, the rotary damper 430 slows movementof the door panel 160 as the door assembly 150 approaches the closedposition (e.g., under the urging of the movement assistance mechanism440), and does not resist opening movement of the door assembly 150.

The movement assistance mechanism 440 includes a housing 442 and a latchmechanism 444 movably mounted to the housing 442, and is configured toassist in the final closing movement of the door assembly 150. In theillustrated embodiment, the movement assistance mechanism 440 isprovided in the form of the above-described movement assistancemechanism 200. In other embodiments, the movement assistance mechanism440 may be provided in another form, such as that of theforce-multiplying movement assistance mechanism 300. The movementassistance mechanisms 200, 300 are configured to assist in moving thedoor assembly 150 to a desired position in the manners described above,which need not be repeated herein.

The anti jump lug 450 includes a mount plate 452 secured to the bracket410, a post 454 projecting from the mount plate 452, and a sleeve 456mounted to the post 454 via a bushing 458 such that the sleeve 456 isrotatable relative to the post 454. In a manner similar to thatdescribed above with reference to the anti jump lug 173, the anti jumplug 450 is positioned below the wheels 424 such that the rail 128 isreceived between the anti jump lug 450 and the wheels 424, therebydiscouraging the module 400 from jumping off the rail 128.

With additional reference to FIG. 16, illustrated therein is a schematicrepresentation of a closure assembly 500 according to certainembodiments. The closure assembly 500 includes a door panel 501 movablebetween a closed position (to the left in FIG. 16) and an open position(to the right in FIG. 16), a closing-side module 502, an opening sidemodule 503, and a rail assembly 504 including at least one of aclosing-side engagement zone 505 or an opening-side engagement zone 506.The closure assembly 500 may further include one or more of anintermediate module 507, an additional engagement zone 508, or a biasingassembly 509 urging the door panel 501 toward the closed position.

With additional reference to FIG. 17, illustrated therein is a system600 according to certain embodiments. As described herein, the system600 includes a plurality of modular components from which the closureassembly 500 can be assembled in various configurations.

The system 600 generally includes an assisted closing module 610 and adampened closing module 620, each of which is operable to be utilized asa closing-side module 502. The system 600 further includes an assistedopening module 630 and a dampened opening module 640, each of which isoperable to be utilized as the opening-side module 503. The system 600further includes a wheel module 650, which is operable to be utilized asthe closing-side module 502, the opening-side module 503, and/or thecentral module 507. The system 600 further includes a biasing module 660operable to be utilized as the biasing assembly 509.

The assisted closing module 610 is configured to assist in the finalclosing movement of the door 501, and to slow such movement of the door501 to its final closed position. The assisted closing module 610 issubstantially similar to the above-described closing-side module 170,and similar reference characters are used to indicate similar elementsand features. Thus, the assisted closing module 610 includes a bracket612 having an anti jump lug 613 projecting therefrom, a wheel 614including a circumferential groove 615, a rotary damper 616 including apinion 617, and a closing assistance mechanism 618 including a latchmechanism 619. The bracket 612 may include an anchor 611 operable toengage a tether of the biasing module 660. In the illustrated form, theassisted closing module 610 includes a single wheel 614. In otherembodiments, the assisted closing module 610 may include a dual-wheelmechanism, for example of the type described above with reference to thewheel mechanism 420. The rotary damper 616 may be provided as a one-waydamper that resists rotation of the pinion 617 in the directioncorresponding to closing movement of the door 501 and does not resistrotation of the pinion 617 in the opposite direction corresponding toopening movement of the door 501. The closing assistance mechanism 618may, for example, be provided in the form of the movement assistancemechanism 200 or that of the force-multiplying movement assistancemechanism 300.

The closing-side module 502 of the closure assembly 500 may be providedin the form of the assisted closing module 610. In such embodiments, theclosing-side engagement zone 505 of closure assembly 500 may include arack configured to engage the pinion 617 (such as the closing-side rack134) and a trigger configured to engage the latch mechanism 619 (such asthe closing-side trigger 132). In certain embodiments, the closingassistance mechanism 618 may be provided as the movement assistancemechanism 300, and the additional engagement zone 508 may include a rackconfigured to load the movement assistance mechanism 300 in the mannerdescribed above. In other embodiments, the closing assistance mechanism618 may be provided as the movement assistance mechanism 200, and theadditional engagement zone 508 may not necessarily include such a rack,or may be omitted.

The dampened closing module 620 includes a bracket 622 having an antijump lug 623 projecting therefrom, a wheel 624 including acircumferential groove 625, and a rotary damper 626 including a pinion627. The bracket 622 may include an anchor 621 operable to engage atether of the biasing module 660. In the illustrated form, the dampenedclosing module 620 includes a single wheel 624. In other embodiments,the dampened closing module 620 may include a dual-wheel mechanism, forexample of the type described above with reference to the wheelmechanism 420. The rotary damper 626 may be provided as a one-way damperthat resists rotation of the pinion 627 in the direction correspondingto closing movement of the door 501 and does not resist rotation of thepinion 627 in the opposite direction corresponding to opening movementof the door 501.

The closing-side module 502 of the closure assembly 500 may be providedin the form of the dampened closing module 620. In such embodiments, theclosing-side engagement zone 505 of closure assembly 500 may include arack configured to engage the pinion 617 (such as the rack 134), and thetrigger may be omitted from the closing-side engagement zone 505.

The assisted opening module 630 is configured to assist in the finalopening movement of the door 501, and to slow such movement of the door501 to its final open position. The assisted opening module 630 issubstantially similar to the above-described opening-side module 180,and similar reference characters are used to indicate similar elementsand features. Thus, the assisted opening module 630 includes a bracket632 having an anti jump lug 633 projecting therefrom, a wheel 634including a circumferential groove 635, a rotary damper 636 including apinion 637, and an opening assistance mechanism 638 including a latchmechanism 639. In the illustrated form, the assisted opening module 630includes a single wheel 634. In other embodiments, the assisted openingmodule 630 may include a dual-wheel mechanism, for example of the typedescribed above with reference to the wheel mechanism 420. The rotarydamper 636 may be provided as a one-way damper that resists rotation ofthe pinion 637 in the direction corresponding to opening movement of thedoor 501 and does not resist rotation of the pinion 637 in the oppositedirection corresponding to closing movement of the door 501. The openingassistance mechanism 638 may, for example, be provided in the form ofthe movement assistance mechanism 200 or that of the movement assistancemechanism 300.

The opening-side module 503 of the closure assembly 500 may be providedin the form of the assisted opening module 630. In such embodiments, theopening-side engagement zone 506 of closure assembly 500 may include arack configured to engage the pinion 637 (such as the rack 144) and atrigger configured to engage the latch mechanism 639 (such as thetrigger 142). In certain embodiments, the opening assistance mechanism638 may be provided as the movement assistance mechanism 300, and theadditional engagement zone 508 may include a rack configured to load themovement assistance mechanism 300 in the manner described above. Inother embodiments, the opening assistance mechanism 638 may be providedas the movement assistance mechanism 200, and the additional engagementzone 508 may not necessarily include such a rack, or may be omitted.

The dampened opening module 640 includes a bracket 642 having an antijump lug 643 projecting therefrom, a wheel 644 including acircumferential groove 645, and a rotary damper 646 including a pinion647. In the illustrated form, the dampened opening module 640 includes asingle wheel 644. In other embodiments, the dampened opening module 640may include a dual-wheel mechanism, for example of the type describedabove with reference to the wheel mechanism 420. The rotary damper 646may be provided as a one-way damper that resists rotation of the pinion647 in the direction corresponding to opening movement of the door 501and does not resist rotation of the pinion 647 in the opposite directioncorresponding to closing movement of the door 501.

The opening-side module 503 of the closure assembly 500 may be providedin the form of the dampened opening module 640. In such embodiments, theopening-side engagement zone 506 of closure assembly 500 may include arack configured to engage the pinion 637 (such as the closing-side rack134), and the trigger may be omitted from the opening-side engagementzone 506.

The wheel module 650 includes a bracket 652 having an anti jump lug 653projecting therefrom, and a wheel 654 including a circumferential groove655. In the illustrated form, the wheel module 650 includes a singlewheel 654. In other embodiments, the wheel module 650 may include adual-wheel mechanism, for example of the type described above withreference to the wheel mechanism 420.

In certain embodiments, the closing-side module 502 of the closureassembly 500 may be provided in the form of the wheel module 650, andboth the trigger and the rack may be omitted from the closing-sideengagement zone 505. Alternatively, the opening-side module 503 of theclosure assembly 500 may be provided in the form of the wheel module650, and both the trigger and the rack may be omitted from theopening-side engagement zone 506. In certain embodiments, theintermediate module 507 of the closure assembly 500 may be provided inthe form of the wheel module 650. For example, in embodiments in whichthe rail assembly 504 is provided as two separate pieces having a gapformed therebetween, such an intermediate module 507 may aid inmaintaining the door 501 level as the closing-side wheel and/or theopening-side wheel traverse the gap.

The biasing module 660 includes a housing 662, a spool 664 rotatablymounted in the housing 662, and a tether 666 wrapped about the spool664. A first end of the tether 666 is secured to the spool 664, and anopposite second end 667 of the tether 666 is operable to be secured tothe door 501 and/or the closing-side module 502. The spool 664 isspring-biased to retract the tether 666. When included in the closureassembly 500 as the biasing assembly 509, the biasing module 660 ismounted at or near the end of the rail assembly 504 corresponding to theclosed position of the door 501, and the end 667 of the tether 666 issecured to the door 501 or the closing-side module 502. When the door501 is moved toward its open position, the tether 666 is unspooled,thereby loading the spring that biases the spool 664 to rotate. When thedoor 501 is released, the spring releases its stored mechanical energyby retracting the tether 666, thereby returning the door 501 toward itsclosed position.

With additional reference to FIGS. 18-25, illustrated therein arecertain non-limiting embodiments of closure assemblies. Each of theclosure assemblies is an example of the above-described closure assembly500, and similar reference characters are used to indicate similarelements and features. While not specifically illustrated in FIGS.18-25, it is to be appreciated that each of the closure assemblies mayfurther include a rail assembly corresponding to the above-describedrail assembly 504.

With reference to FIG. 18, illustrated therein is a closure assembly 510according to certain embodiments. The closing-side module 512 isprovided in the form of the dampened closing module 620. Theclosing-side engagement zone of the closure assembly 510 includes a rackconfigured to engage the pinion of the dampened closing module 620, andneed not include a trigger. The opening-side module 513 is provided inthe form of the wheel module 650. The opening-side engagement zone ofthe closure assembly 510 need not include a rack or a trigger, and maybe omitted. The closure assembly 510 optionally includes a biasingassembly 519 such as the biasing module 660. It should be appreciatedthat while a single wheel is illustrated in each of the modules 512,513, one or both of the modules 512, 513 may include a dual-wheelmechanism.

With reference to FIG. 19, illustrated therein is a closure assembly 520according to certain embodiments. The closing-side module 522 isprovided in the form of the assisted closing module 610, in which theclosing assistance mechanism 618 is provided as the movement assistancemechanism 200. The closing-side engagement zone of the closure assembly520 includes a rack configured to engage the pinion of the assistedclosing module 610 and a trigger configured to engage the latchmechanism of the movement assistance mechanism 618, 200. Theopening-side module 523 is provided in the form of the wheel module 650.The opening-side engagement zone of the closure assembly 520 need notinclude a rack or a trigger, and may be omitted. The closure assembly520 optionally includes a biasing assembly 529 such as the biasingmodule 660. It should be appreciated that while a single wheel isillustrated in each of the modules 522, 523, one or both of the modules522, 523 may include a dual-wheel mechanism.

With reference to FIG. 20, illustrated therein is a closure assembly 530according to certain embodiments. The closing-side module 532 isprovided in the form of the dampened closing module 620. Theclosing-side engagement zone of the closure assembly 530 includes a rackconfigured to engage the pinion of the dampened closing module 620, andneed not include a trigger. The opening-side module 533 is provided inthe form of the dampened opening module 640. The opening-side engagementzone of the closure assembly 530 includes a rack configured to engagethe pinion of the dampened opening module 640, and need not include atrigger. The closure assembly 530 optionally includes a biasing assembly539 such as the biasing module 660. It should be appreciated that whilea single wheel is illustrated in each of the modules 532, 533, one orboth of the modules 532, 533 may include a dual-wheel mechanism.

With reference to FIG. 21, illustrated therein is a closure assembly 540according to certain embodiments. The closing-side module 542 isprovided in the form of the assisted closing module 610, in which theclosing assistance mechanism 618 is provided in the form of the movementassistance mechanism 200. The closing-side engagement zone of theclosure assembly 540 includes a rack configured to engage the pinion ofthe assisted closing module 610 and a trigger configured to engage thelatch mechanism of the closing assistance mechanism 618, 200. Theopening-side module 543 is provided in the form of the dampened openingmodule 640. The opening-side engagement zone of the closure assembly 540includes a rack configured to engage the pinion of the dampened openingmodule 640, and need not include a trigger. The closure assembly 540optionally includes a biasing assembly 549 such as the biasing module660. It should be appreciated that while a single wheel is illustratedin each of the modules 542, 543, one or both of the modules 542, 543 mayinclude a dual-wheel mechanism.

With reference to FIG. 22, illustrated therein is a closure assembly 550according to certain embodiments. The closing-side module 552 isprovided in the form of the assisted closing module 610, in which theclosing assistance mechanism 618 is provided in the form of the movementassistance mechanism 200. The closing-side engagement zone of theclosure assembly 550 includes a rack configured to engage the pinion ofthe assisted closing module 610 and a trigger configured to engage thelatch mechanism of the closing assistance mechanism 618, 200. Theopening-side module 553 is provided in the form of the assisted openingmodule 630, in which the opening assistance mechanism 638 is provided inthe form of the movement assistance mechanism 200. The opening-sideengagement zone of the closure assembly 550 includes a rack configuredto engage the pinion of the assisted opening module 630 and a triggerconfigured to engage the latch mechanism of the opening assistancemechanism 638, 200. The closure assembly 550 optionally includes acenter module 557 in the form of the wheel module 650. The closureassembly 550 optionally includes a biasing assembly 559 such as thebiasing module 660. It should be appreciated that while a single wheelis illustrated in each of the modules 552, 553, 557, one or more of themodules 552, 553, 557 may include a dual-wheel mechanism.

With reference to FIG. 23, illustrated therein is a closure assembly 560according to certain embodiments. The closing-side module 562 isprovided in the form of the assisted closing module 610, in which theclosing assistance mechanism 618 is provided in the form of the movementassistance mechanism 300. The closing-side engagement zone of theclosure assembly 560 includes a rack configured to engage the pinion ofthe assisted closing module 610 and a trigger configured to engage thelatch mechanism of the movement assistance mechanism 618, 300. Theadditional engagement zone of the closure assembly 560 includes a rackconfigured to engage the pinion of the closing assistance mechanism 618,300. The opening-side module 563 is provided in the form of the wheelmodule 650. The opening-side engagement zone of the closure assembly 560need not include a rack or a trigger, and may be omitted. The closureassembly 560 optionally includes a biasing assembly 569 such as thebiasing module 660. It should be appreciated that while a single wheelis illustrated in each of the modules 562, 563, one or both of themodules 562, 563 may include a dual-wheel mechanism.

With reference to FIG. 24, illustrated therein is a closure assembly 570according to certain embodiments. The closing-side module 572 isprovided in the form of the assisted closing module 610, in which theclosing assistance mechanism 618 is provided in the form of the movementassistance mechanism 300. The closing-side engagement zone of theclosure assembly 570 includes a rack configured to engage the pinion ofthe assisted closing module 610 and a trigger configured to engage thelatch mechanism of the closing assistance mechanism 618, 300. Theadditional engagement zone of the closure assembly 560 includes a rackconfigured to engage the pinion of the closing assistance mechanism 618,300. The opening-side module 573 is provided in the form of the dampenedopening module 640. The opening-side engagement zone of the closureassembly 570 includes a rack configured to engage the pinion of thedampened opening module 640, and need not include a trigger. The closureassembly 570 optionally includes a biasing assembly 579 such as thebiasing module 660. It should be appreciated that while a single wheelis illustrated in each of the modules 572, 573, one or both of themodules 572, 573 may include a dual-wheel mechanism.

With reference to FIG. 25, illustrated therein is a closure assembly 580according to certain embodiments. The closing-side module 582 isprovided in the form of the assisted closing module 610, in which theclosing assistance mechanism 618 is provided in the form of the movementassistance mechanism 300. The closing-side engagement zone of theclosure assembly 580 includes a rack configured to engage the pinion ofthe assisted closing module 610 and a trigger configured to engage thelatch mechanism of the closing assistance mechanism 618, 300. Theopening-side module 583 is provided in the form of the assisted openingmodule 630, in which the opening assistance mechanism 638 is provided inthe form of the movement assistance mechanism 300. The opening-sideengagement zone of the closure assembly 580 includes a rack configuredto engage the pinion of the assisted opening module 630 and a triggerconfigured to engage the latch mechanism of the opening assistancemechanism 638, 300. The additional engagement zone of the closureassembly 560 may include a rack configured to engage the pinions of eachof the closing assistance mechanism 618, 300 and the opening assistancemechanism 638, 300. Alternatively, the additional engagement zone of theclosure assembly 560 may include a first rack configured to engage thepinion of the closing assistance mechanism 618, 300 and a second rackconfigured to engage the pinion of the opening assistance mechanism 638,300. The closure assembly 580 optionally includes a center module 587 inthe form of the wheel module 650. The closure assembly 580 optionallyincludes a biasing assembly 589 such as the biasing module 660. Itshould be appreciated that while a single wheel is illustrated in eachof the modules 582, 583, 587, one or more of the modules 582, 583, 587may include a dual-wheel mechanism.

As should be evident from the foregoing, the modular system 600 iscapable of being used to create closure assemblies having varyingconfigurations, such as those described above with reference to FIGS.18-25.

While certain exemplary forms of closure assemblies and modules havebeen described herein, it is to be appreciated that variousmodifications of the described subject matter are also considered withinthe scope of the subject matter set forth herein. For example, while theembodiments set forth herein generally describe a first member mountedto the door and a cooperating second member mounted to the railassembly, it is also contemplated that these positions may be reversed.Thus, while the embodiments set forth hereinabove generally involveproviding a rotary damper to the door and a cooperating rack to the railassembly, it should be appreciated that the rotary damper may instead bemounted to the rail assembly, and that the cooperating rack member maybe mounted to the door. Similarly, while certain embodiments involve amovement assistance mechanism mounted to the door and a cooperatingtrigger mounted to the rail assembly, it should be appreciated that themovement assistance mechanism may instead be mounted to the railassembly, and that the cooperating trigger may be mounted to the door.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in thedrawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood thatonly the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and thatall changes and modifications that come within the spirit of theinventions are desired to be protected.

It should be understood that while the use of words such as preferable,preferably, preferred or more preferred utilized in the descriptionabove indicate that the feature so described may be more desirable, itnonetheless may not be necessary and embodiments lacking the same may becontemplated as within the scope of the invention, the scope beingdefined by the claims that follow. In reading the claims, it is intendedthat when words such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” or “at least oneportion” are used there is no intention to limit the claim to only oneitem unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When thelanguage “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” is used the item caninclude a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated tothe contrary.

What is claimed is:
 1. An assembly configured for mounting to a door,the assembly comprising: a bracket configured for mounting to the door;a wheel rotatably mounted to the bracket, the wheel including acircumferential groove operable to receive a rail; an anti jump lugprojecting from the bracket, positioned below the wheel, and configuredto be positioned below the rail to maintain engagement between theassembly and the rail; a rotary damper mounted to the bracket, therotary damper comprising a pinion, wherein the rotary damper isconfigured to resist rotation of the pinion in a first rotationaldirection; and a movement assistance mechanism mounted to the bracket,the movement assistance mechanism comprising: a housing; a latchmechanism movably mounted to the housing, the latch mechanism having acocked position, a release position, and a home position; and a springengaged between the housing and the latch mechanism, the spring biasingthe latch mechanism toward the home position; wherein the housing isconfigured to retain the latch mechanism in the cocked position againsta biasing force exerted by the spring; wherein the latch mechanism isconfigured to move from the cocked position to a release position inresponse to an externally-applied force; and wherein the spring isconfigured to move the latch mechanism from the release position to thehome position.
 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the rotary damper isa one-way rotary damper that does not resist rotation of the pinion in asecond rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction. 3.The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a pivot bracket pivotablymounted to the bracket, wherein the wheel is rotatably mounted to thepivot bracket, and wherein a second wheel having a secondcircumferential groove operable to receive the rail is mounted to thepivot bracket.
 4. A system comprising a first of the assembly recited inclaim 1, the system further comprising: the door, wherein the bracket ofthe first assembly is secured to the door, and wherein the door ismovable between a first position and a second position; and a railassembly configured for mounting to a wall adjacent the door, the railassembly comprising: a rail member defining the rail, wherein the wheelof the first assembly and the anti-jump lug of the first assembly arepositioned on opposite sides of the rail; a first trigger mounted to therail member, wherein the first trigger is configured to engage the latchmechanism of the first assembly as the door approaches the secondposition from the first position, thereby moving the latch mechanism ofthe first assembly from the cocked position to the release position,thereby causing the spring of the first assembly to release storedmechanical energy to assist in moving the door to the second position;and a first rack member mounted to the rail member, the first rackmember defining a first rack gear, wherein the first rack gear isconfigured to engage the pinion of the first assembly as the doorapproaches the second position from the first position such that therotary damper of the first assembly slows movement of the door as thedoor moves to the second position.
 5. The system of claim 4, furthercomprising a second of the assembly recited in claim 1, wherein thesecond assembly is a mirror image of the first assembly.
 6. The systemof claim 5, further comprising an additional assembly mounted betweenthe first assembly and the second assembly, the additional assemblycomprising: an additional bracket mounted to the door; an additionalwheel rotatably mounted to the additional bracket; and an additionalanti jump lug projecting from the additional bracket below theadditional wheel.
 7. The system of claim 4, further comprising a secondof the assembly recited in claim 1; wherein the wheel of the secondassembly and the anti jump lug of the second assembly are positioned onopposite sides of the rail; and wherein the rail assembly furthercomprises: a second trigger mounted to the rail member, wherein thesecond trigger is configured to engage the latch mechanism of the secondassembly as the door approaches the first position from the secondposition, thereby moving the latch mechanism of the second assembly fromthe cocked position to the release position, thereby causing the springof the second assembly to release stored mechanical energy to assist inmoving the door to the first position; and a second rack member mountedto the rail member, the second rack member defining a second rack gear,wherein the second rack gear is configured to engage the pinion of thesecond assembly as the door approaches the first position from thesecond position such that the rotary damper of the second assembly slowsmovement of the door as the door moves to the first position.
 8. Thesystem of claim 4, further comprising a biasing assembly mounted to therail member and biasing the door toward one of the first position or thesecond position, the biasing assembly comprising: a biasing assemblyhousing mounted to the rail member; a spool rotatably mounted to thebiasing assembly housing; a spring engaged between the biasing assemblyhousing and the spool, the spring urging the spool to rotate in aretracting direction; and a tether having a first end connected to thespool and an opposite second end connected to the door.
 9. A closureassembly, comprising: a rail assembly configured for mounting to a wall,the rail assembly comprising: a rail member defining a rail, the railmember having a first end portion and a second end portion; a firstengagement zone mounted to the first end portion, the first engagementzone comprising a first trigger and a first rack gear; a door assemblymounted to the rail assembly for movement between a first position and asecond position, the door assembly comprising: a door; and a firstmodule mounted to the door and operable to engage the first engagementzone of the rail assembly, the first module comprising: a first movementassistance mechanism configured to engage the first trigger as the doorapproaches the first position, and to urge the door toward the firstposition when engaged with the first trigger; and a first rotary damperincluding a first pinion configured to engage the first rack gear as thedoor approaches the first position, wherein the first rotary damper isconfigured to resist rotation of the first pinion to thereby slowmovement of the door toward the first position.
 10. The closure assemblyof claim 9, wherein the rail assembly further comprises a secondengagement zone mounted to the second end portion, the second engagementzone comprising a second trigger and a second rack gear; and wherein thesystem further comprises a second module mounted to the door andoperable to engage the second engagement zone of the rail assembly, thesecond module comprising: a second movement assistance mechanismconfigured to engage the second trigger as the door approaches thesecond position, and to urge the door toward the second position whenengaged with the second trigger; and a second rotary damper including asecond pinion configured to engage the second rack gear as the doorapproaches the second position, wherein the second rotary damper isconfigured to resist rotation of the second pinion to thereby slowmovement of the door toward the second position.
 11. The closureassembly of claim 9, wherein the rail assembly further comprises anadditional rack gear, and wherein the first movement assistancemechanism further comprises: a spring operable to store mechanicalenergy when the first movement assistance mechanism is in a loadedstate, and to release the stored mechanical energy to drive the door tothe first position when the first movement assistance mechanism isengaged with the first trigger; and a gear train including a pinion gearconfigured to engage the additional rack gear and to load the spring asthe door moves between the first position and the second position. 12.The closure assembly of claim 11, wherein a gear ratio of the gear trainis selected such that an output force exerted by the gear train on thespring is greater than an input force exerted by the user on the door tomove the door between the first position and the second position duringloading of the spring.
 13. A movement assistance mechanism for a door,the movement assistance mechanism comprising: a housing extending alonga longitudinal axis defining a proximal direction and an opposite distaldirection, the housing defining a track first including a firstlongitudinal portion extending between and connecting a first proximalend portion and a first distal end portion, the first distal end portiondefining a first jog that is angled relative to the first longitudinalportion; a latch mechanism movably mounted to the housing, the latchmechanism engaged with the first track such that the first track guidesmovement of the latch mechanism between a proximal home position and adistal cocked position in which the latch mechanism is engaged with thefirst jog; a spring engaged between the housing and the latch mechanism,the spring exerting a proximal biasing force urging the latch mechanismtoward the home position; and a gear train comprising: a pinion gearrotatably mounted to the housing; and a rack member defining a rackengaged with the pinion gear such that rotation of the pinion gearcauses a corresponding linear movement of the rack; wherein the rackmember is coupled with the latch mechanism such that rotation of thepinion gear in a first rotational direction distally drives the latchmechanism from the home position toward the cocked position, therebystoring mechanical energy in the spring; and wherein the first jog isconfigured to retain the latch mechanism in the cocked position againstthe biasing force of the spring.
 14. The movement assistance mechanismof claim 13, wherein the latch mechanism is configured to move from thecocked position to a release position in response to anexternally-applied proximal force on the latch mechanism, and whereinthe spring is configured to release the stored mechanical energy todrive the latch mechanism from the release position to the homeposition.
 15. The movement assistance mechanism of claim 13, wherein thehousing further defines a second track including a second longitudinalportion extending between and connecting a second proximal end portionand a second distal end portion, the second proximal end portiondefining a second jog that is angled relative to the second longitudinalportion; wherein the latch mechanism comprises a carriage and a latchbody movably mounted to the carriage; wherein a first pin extends fromthe carriage into the first track; and wherein a second pin extends fromthe latch body into the second track.
 16. The movement assistancemechanism of claim 13, wherein the latch mechanism comprises a carriageand a latch body movably mounted to the carriage, wherein the latch bodyis movable relative to the carriage between an extended position and aretracted position, and wherein the latch body is in the retractedposition when the latch mechanism is in the home position.
 17. Themovement assistance mechanism of claim 13, wherein the gear trainfurther comprises at least one intermediate gear connected between thepinion and the rack gear.
 18. The movement assistance mechanism of claim17, wherein the at least one intermediate gear alters a gear ratio ofthe gear train such that an output force applied by the rack member tothe latch mechanism is greater than an input force applied to rotate thepinion.
 19. A module configured for mounting to a sliding door, themodule comprising the movement assistance mechanism of claim 13, themodule further comprising: a bracket to which the movement assistancemechanism is mounted; a wheel rotatably mounted to the bracket, thewheel including a circumferential groove; and a rotary damper mounted tothe bracket, the rotary damper including a damper pinion, wherein therotary damper is configured to resist rotation of the damper pinion in afirst rotational direction.
 20. The module of claim 19, wherein therotary damper is a one-way rotary damper that does not resist rotationof the damper pinion in a second rotational direction opposite the firstrotational direction.